Arthur Dimmesdale's Struggles In The Crucible

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Arthur Dimmesdale's inner turmoil is rooted in his failure to publicly acknowledge his role in the sin for which Hester Prynne is punished. Despite his love for Hester and his genuine religious faith, Dimmesdale is paralyzed by the fear of losing his revered position in the Puritan community. His guilt manifests physically and psychologically, with self-inflicted punishment and declining health. The townspeople's high regard for him only intensifies his sense of hypocrisy, as they view him as a paragon of virtue. In the forest, free from societal expectations, he finds a brief reprieve and a chance to confess to Hester his feelings and his role in their shared sin. In contrast, Aidan Dale's character in "When She Woke" represents a man who, …show more content…

However, Aidan's reluctance to fully commit to Hannah and his refusal to accept her for who she has become reflect his deep-seated fear of losing his reputation. Dimmesdale's suffering is so palpable that it leads him to brand himself with his own "A." This act demonstrates his sense of equality with Hester, acknowledging that they share the same sin. Aiden, on the other hand, still acts like he is above Hannah. His self-loathing humanizes him, showing a character torn between societal expectations and personal integrity. Ultimately, Dimmesdale finds a moment of redemption in his public confession, which allows him to die with a clear conscience. Aidan, on the other hand, does not display the same level of self-loathing. His actions seem motivated more by self-preservation and desire than genuine remorse. His lack of physical symptoms suggests that his suffering is not as profound as Dimmesdale's. Aidan's heart attack at the moment of truth can be seen as a symbolic representation of his unwillingness to truly confront his secrets, as it did not allow him to tell the whole

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